This Weekend in the Bitterroot: July 4, 2008

Welcome to the first in a weekly post previewing the upcoming weekend. I will be posting this column every Wednesday evening.
The Fourth of July is a big activity weekend nationwide and the Bitterroot Valley is know exception. With so many things to do, I don’t pretend to cover all the possibilities. I will touch on a few things I would like to be doing or will be doing this weekend.

Fly Fishing

Much of the Bitterroot River promises to be blown out this weekend, with high, dirty water. The best bet is the upper waters of the West Fork or the East Fork. Try the West Fork just below the dam at Painted Rocks State Park. The East Fork should provide good opportunities from the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness through Sula.
Keep an eye on the bugs coming off the water. The Salmon Fly hatch should still provide some action. You might also see some Western Green Drakes and Duns.
The best bets lower down the Bitterroot River would include the slack water. Otherwise try the deep pools with heavily weighted nymphs.

Alpine Lakes

Some of the high mountain alpine lakes will still require crossing deep snow pockets to reach. Most (if not all) are now ice free, though. Fishing the alpine lakes usually requires hiking in to the lake. Some are accessible with mountain bikes, motorcycles or ATVs.

The great alpine lakes throughout the Bitterroot National Forest are too numerous to mention. All are worth the effort to reach, if only for the scenery.

Morel Mushrooms

The Rat Creek Fire should be heating up now. The Rombo Fire has been in full swing. The last I heard Morels were going for $6.50-$7.00 a pound. If you are picking commercially, make sure to get a permit at the nearest Forest Service Office. Commercial permits are $20 for seven days, $40 for 14 days, $60 for 21 days, $75 for 30 days and $100 for a season permit. In the Rombo Fire complex, 29,000 acres are designated for both commercial and personal, free-use harvest areas. Commercial permits are available for the 25,000 acre Rat Creek Fire area.

Personal use harvesting requires a permit, but permits are free of charge. Personal harvesters have a limit on how many morels they are allowed to pick. There is a five-gallon-a-day, 20-gallon-a-season limit. Make sure and cut the mushrooms in half, lengthwise when picking for personal use.

Free-use permits are also available at all Bitterroot National Forest offices.

Hamilton Farmer’s Market

What weekend would be complete without a trip to the Hamilton Farmer’s Market? The market runs from 9:00 am- 12:30 at the corner of Bedford St. and Third St. in Hamilton. There is always great music to go along with the local wares. Pick-up your locally grown, organic produce, homemade breads and baked goods and local crafts from some very talented craftsmen.

Lake Como

If soaking up some sun on the beach before a barbecue is your idea of the perfect Fourth of July then Lake Como is your destination. Fishing is good for Rainbow Trout and Westslope Cutthroat Trout. The lake is 911 acres. There are boat ramps and beaches, along with camping.

Whatever you do this Fourth of July, have fun, be safe and soak in some Montana fun.